PAF organises regional handicraft festival

Kathmandu, Jan. 11: The Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), Nepal is organising South Asian Festival on ‘Handicrafts: Meetings and Marketplaces’ in Kathmandu from January 12 to 14.

The highlight of the three-day festival will be the launch of Nepal Ko – a new brand of exquisite handicrafts produced by Nepali artisans.

Crafts from India and Pakistan will also be showcased in this mega event at the De L’ Annapurna Hotel, Durbarmarg, Kathmandu, said the PAF.

Around 200 products, categorised under 10 different skill sets, will be displayed at 20 stalls - 18 for Nepali and one each for Indian and Pakistani crafts.

“The festival aims to promote a wide range of handicrafts produced by Nepali artisans supported by Making Markets Work for Conflict Affected in Nepal - a PAF-implemented project,” executive director Nahakul KC said.

According to him, the event is a marketing platform to showcase the artisan livelihood initiatives implemented by PAF Nepal, and similar initiatives from neighbouring countries. It aims to facilitate a dialogue between different stakeholders in the region, and is expected to promote cross-cultural learning and interactions.

 “The objective of the project is to increase the share of rural artisans – especially from the poorest, landless and conflict-affected communities – in the crafts and cultural market,” he said.

"The project has benefitted poor and disadvantaged people, including women and persons with disabilities, particularly from the areas affected by conflict and social unrest.”

PAF has been implementing this project in seven districts - Dailekh, Dang, Dhanusa, Terhathum, Kapilvastu, Myagdi and Gorkha- enabling skilled artisans to increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods by connecting them to markets.

The project is supported by the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and managed by the World Bank.

The handicrafts produced by the PAF-supported artisans will be showcased and sold during the festival, which will be inaugurated by Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki.

The festival will also be a platform where craft and art aficionados can meet and interact with more than 100 Nepali artisans, craftsmen and Mithila painters, who will be promoting their authentic indigenous products. 

Published in The Rising Nepal Daily on January 12, 2017.